SMG To Run Istanbul Arena

SMG has won the contract to run Istanbul’s new Ora Arena and the neighboring Ora Convention Centre, which are expected to be completed by November.

The announcement the global facility manager would be running the venues at Bayrampasa, part of a mixed-use development that will also include hotels, a theme park and a shopping mall on its 70,000 square meter site, was made at a press conference in the city March 2.

“Istanbul provides a unique setting that blends one of the richest cultures in history with a thriving contemporary city that must be experienced to be appreciated,” said SMG senior VP for strategic business development Gregg Caren. “We look forward to working with our local partners and event planners in the region and international community.”

The 6,500-capacity multi-functional arena with flexible seating arrangements will host a variety of activities including concerts, family entertainment shows, musicals, theatre and sport.

The venue’s backstage, load-in and production facilities are reckoned to be better than anything in the area as regards to international touring operational requirements.

It will also be the first Turkish venue to feature a dedicated VIP function room and 10 executive hospitality suites.

SMG’ s convention centre division will run the 10,500-square-meter convention centre, which will host a range of events including national and international congresses and conferences, medium-sized consumer exhibitions; and trade and business to business exhibitions.

The venue will be able to offer attendees hospitality services in the two hotels on site, the three-star Holiday Inn Express and four-star Crowne Plaza. The arena will also serve to host general sessions for congresses in a setting ready-made for large meetings.

AEG recently announced it had won the contract to run the new 52,500-seat Turk Telekom Arena, the future home for Turkish soccer giants Galatasaray FC, which is also expected to open toward the end of the year.